Ice maker



sept 13, 1955 s. w. E. ANDERSSON 2,717,501

ICE MAKER Filed Dec. 10, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l lill n :ff a. i

Y [ff/ff@ f1 TTORNE Y Sept. 13, 1955 s. w. E. ANDERSSON 2,717,501

ICE MAKER Filed Dec. lO, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEY ICE MAKER 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 10, 1952 m 0 mm m M W. M W Y B d 4 w .M www?--11H j m .J L Hm mflwwm| IIIIILIIIM a. a a la# M J J J y/v/W. f f M wSept. 13, 1955 s. w. E. ANDERSsoN 2,717,501

ICE: MAKER Filed Deo. l0, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i INI/ENTOR. l/ .S2/@vWZ.' 4A/050.5190

BY ff/M United States Patent Oce Patented Sept. 13, 1955 ICE MAKER SvenW. E. Andersson, Buffalo, N. Y., assigner to Servei, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Deiaware Application December 10, 1952, Serial No.325,145

27 Claims. (Cl. 62-7) This invention relates to automatic making,harvesting, drying, and storing of ice pieces, generally called icecubes.

This invention may be considered an addition and irnprovement to the icemaker disclosed and claimed in my copending patent application SerialNo. 205,519, liled January 1l, 1951.

Briefly my above copending application discloses an ice maker wherein anice forming mold has a generally arcuate contour so that a piece of icemay be readily turned or swept from the mold by relative turningmovement between the mold and the ice piece. action is automatic, as isthe filling of the mold, freezing, and loosening of the ice piece. Theice piece is detained for thorough drying before discharge to storage.The automatic operation is stopped short of discharge of ice to storage,and remains suspended during the time that a desired quantity of icepieces is held in storage. In the specific structure disclosed in myabove copending application, power for operating the ice release and thecontrol mechanisms is provided by a hydraulic motor which also measuresand delivers a quantity of water to the ice mold for freezing. Thedisclosure of my above copending application may be considered a part ofthis instant application and may be referred to for a detaileddescription of parts thereof that are common to the two patentapplications.

ln accordance with the present invention, a geared electric motor isused for operating the mechanism that automatically removes the icepieces from the mold. This motor is of a type that stalls whileenergized when a given torque is applied to the output shaft thereofwithout burning out or otherwise harming the motor. As contrasted with aconventional motor, this motor is geared down from 3400 R. P. M. toapproximately 2 R. P. M.

The particular stall motor used with this invention is known as a shadedpole motor; that is, the main winding is several thousand turns of linewire and the starting winding is one or two shorted turns of 1A wire at45 in the pole piece. This latter winding is commonly spoken of as theshading coil and gives the necessary phase displacement for the motor tostart and run. Motors of this type are, in general, only about eicientand they take almost exactly the same amount of current stalled as theydo running. For that reason, it is possible to design a motor havingenough iron and copper to dissipate the 12R losses. It doesnt followhowever this is always done. It all depends on how much torque isneeded. Motors of this type sometimes are protected with overloaddevices and sometimes not. The design of the stall motor makes itnecessary to use a thermostat and not an overload operating on change incurrent. As a precaution in my particular installation, there may beincorporated a thermostat on the windings set at approximately 190 F.and which protects the winding itself.

The mold and ejector or conveyor mechanism used with my presentinvention is generally similar to that illustrated and described in myabove copending application. Further, in accordance with this invention,l provide con- The ice removing .fill

CII

trol means whereby upon the freezing of the water in the mold a circuitis closed to the stall motor by a mold thermostat whereupon the motorturns the ejector mechanism through approximately degrees of rotationuntil the ejector mechanism contacts the ice frozen in the mold whichstalls the motor. The motor remains stalled though energized until suchtime as the ice has been thawed free of the mold surfaces by electricheating elements contained in the mold. Shortly after the stall motorbegins its initial movement, a holding circuit is closed by a motoractivated switch which maintains the motor and heating elementsenergized even though the original circuit be opened by the warming ofthe mold thermostat or the opening of a stop switch, to be referred tohereinafter.

After the ice has been thawed free of the mold, the motor and attachedejector mechanism resumes its turning until suoli time as the motor isstopped by the motor actuated switch mechanism just short of completing360 degrees of rotation, which movement sweeps the ice from the mold.The switch mechanism that stops the motor near the end of an ejectingcycle also closes a circuit to a solenoid operated water valve wherebythe valve is opened and water flows from a suitable source of supply tothe ice mold. An electrode is located on the ejector mechanism in amanner that when the water reaches the desired level in the mold andcontacts the electrode, a low voltage circuit to a sensitive relay isclosed, which relay opens the circuit to the solenoid valve, therebyclosing such valve and stopping the How of water to the mold. With theclosing of the relay circuit, the motor circuit is again closedwhereupon the motor and attached ejector mechanism continues to turn tocomplete the 360 degrees of rotation. The motor and ejector mechanism isthen stopped in this latter position with the ice coming to rest on theejector mechanism and a new freezing cycle is started. The ice that isheld on the ejector mechanism is dried during the next freezing cycleand is discharged into an ice receptacle at the beginning of the nextrelease cycle.

The invention, together with its objects and advantages, is set forth inmore technical detail in the following description and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram for the controls for my ice maker;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the ice mold and ejector mechanism andshowing the action of certain switches relative to the ejectormechanism.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a portion of a refrigerator showing oneinstallation of my improved ice maker.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 6,looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a portion of theswitch mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the ice maker partly in section;

Fig. 6 is a top plan, partly in section, of the ice maker;

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram, similar to Fig. 1, but showing modifiedcontrols for the ice maker; and

Fig. 8 is a part of the wiring diagram of Fig. 7, showing anothermodification of the controls.

ln Fig. 1 there is shown a wiring diagram wherein 10 represents an icemold with built-in heaters 11 and a high temperature limit switch 12. 13indicates an ejector mechanism which is connected by an insulatingcoupling 14 to the shaft 15 of a geared stall motor 16. A line voltagestop switch and a mold thermostat are shown as 17 and 1S, respectively.The mold thermostat 13 may be provided with an ambient temperaturecompensator, not shown. Two switches 19 and 20 are operated by the motorshaft 1S, as indicated by the arrows and may be built into the motor 16.The motor 16 is equipped with an automatic brake for instant stopping,

when deenergized, and the output shaft 15 is accessible from both endsto facilitate the mounting of the switch operating mechanism. 21 is asensitive relay and 22 is a normally closed two-way solenoid watervalve, having an inlet conduit 22a leading thereto from a source ofsupply and an outlet conduit 22b leading therefrom to the ice mold 10.The coil 21a of relay 21 is connected as shown to the grounded secondary23b of a small step-down transformer 23. The transformer provides areduced voltage for an electrode circuit to satisfy code requirements,and it also isolates this grounded circuit so that the polarity of thesupply wires L1 and L2 becomes immaterial. The electrode circuitcomprises the grounded secondary 23h ofthe transformer, the coil 21a ofthe relay, a rotary contact 24 on the rear end of the motor shaft 15,and an insulated wire Z5 thatiextends fromthis contact throughthe hollowshaft of the motor and coupling 14 to the shaft of the ejector 13. As analternative, the relay coil could obviously beconnectedvby a separatewire to a contact riding on the-ejector shaft. The electrode proper maybe an ear or tab 26 attached to the ejector 13 as indicated in Fig. 2,which shows the ejector mechanism and ice mold in cross section. Theelectrode 26 becomes grounded through the water when the mold 1G isbeing lled, as described hereinafter.

Any suitable refrigerating system may be used for freezing the water inthe mold. When the ice maker is applied to a compressor operatedrefrigerator, it may be desirable and advisable to prevent compressoroperation during periods when ice is being released from the mold sothat the mold heaters do not have to buck therefrigerating effect ofsuch system. A circuit is therefore provided for the compressor motorwhich is energized at all times except during the release periods. Asshown in Fig. l, the compressor motor circuit is connected between thewires L1 and CL2. From the wiring diagram, it will be seen that the wireCL2 is notenergized or connected to L2 except when both switches 19 and20 are in their full drawn positions. This occurs only after the ice hasbeen released from the mold but never during the release process. Shouldthe ice maker be applied to a heat operated refrigerating system, andshould it be desired that operation of such system be interrupted duringthe release periods, the heat source to the system rnay be controlled bythe circuit that includes the wires L1 and CL2. For example, the fuelsupply to a burner or the electric supply to a heating element may becontrolled byl the circuit which includes the wires L1 and CL2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a manner of operating the switches 19 and 20 from themotor shaft 15. The switch operating mechanism is suitably mountedwithin a housing ZS-andincludes a switch box 29 having a pair of springpressed plungers 36 and 31 projecting therefrom and connected at one endto the switches 19 and 20, respectively. The opposite ends of theplungers are connected to pivotally mounted bellcranks 32 and 33. Thefree ends of the bellcranks are provided with rollers 34 and 35, whichrollers ride upon the circumference of a pair of circular cams 36 and37, respectively. The cam 36'k is provided with two arcuate notches 36aand 36h, and the cam 37 is provided with a single but longer arcuatenotch 37a. The arrangement is such that, upon. rotation of the cams 36and 37 by the motor shaft 15, th'e rollers 34 and 3S when riding uponthe circumference of the cams hold the switches 19 and 20 in the dottedposition of Figs. l and 4, and when the rollers are in the notches 36aand 36b of cam 36 and 37a of cam 37 the switches 19 and 20 are in thefull drawn position of Figs. 1 and 4. The full line position of theswitches 19 and 2G shown in Figs. l and 4 is their normal positionduring freezing cycles of operation. However, for clarity ofillustration, the bellcranks 32 and 33,' the rollers 34 and 35v andthecams 36 andV 37 are shown inthe respective positions they occupy nearthe end of an ice ejecting cycle.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the ice mold 10 is shown in elevation with thestop switch 17 movably mounted thereon. Mounting plates 40, made ofplastic or other suitable insulating material, are attached to each endof the ice mold, as by screws 41. A pair of arms 42 (Figs. 5 and 6) arepivotally mounted at one end upon the mounting plates 40 by pivot pins43, and at their opposite ends, the arms support a stop vane 44. Thestop vane extends throughout the length of the ice mold at the left sidethereof. The stop switch 17 comprises a conventional mercury switch 17aattached to the front arm 42 by an adjustable bracket 45. A circular cam46 is eccentrically mounted upon the front end of the ejector shaft 53,and upon rotation of such shaft the arms 42 and the attached switch 17and stop vane 44 are raised and lowered. An ice receptacle 47 is locatedbelow the ice maker to receive ice therefrom. The arrangement is suchthat the stop vane 44 is moved out and up at the beginning of a releasecycle so that a previously frozen and dried batch of ice resting on theejector blade may slide therefrom into the ice receptacle below the stopvane, and when the receptacle becomes filled with ice, the stop vane 44is blocked by the ice and cannot return to the position shown in Fig. 5,whereupon the mercury switch 17a is held open and the ejector motor isstopped at the end of an ejecting cycle and until such time as ice isremoved from the receptacle andi the stop vane resumes the positionshown in Fig. 4, The ice mold 10 is mounted in good thermal contact upona freezing plate or shelf 48, which plate is cooled by a suitablefreezing coil 49.

The ice mold 10 and ejector mechanism 13 are shown in detail in Fig. 6.The ice mold comprises an aluminum die casting that is adapted to restupon the freezing shelf 4S. The interior of the mold is arcuate orsemi-circular in cross-section and is divided into a plurality ofcompartments by tapered transverse partitions 5'0. As shown, thepartitions are tapered from the left to the right side of the mold andare each provided with a slot or weir 51, asbest shown in Figs. Zand 5.The slots 51, which provide for flow of water from one compartment toanother when lling the mold, are particularly shaped and located at theright side of the partitions so as to allow the ice to be easily sweptfrom the compartments. Also, these slots provide bridge members of icefor connecting the individual ice pieces into a unit. The inside of theend walls of the mold slant outward from left to right. The ice mold isprovided with an upstanding edge 52 on its right-side, and thepartitions 50 are each provided with an upstanding projection 50a attheir left side. As shown in Fig. 6, the ice mold compartments arelarger on tlie right side ofthe mold'than on the left side thereof.

With this arrangement the icepieces, once they have been thawed free ofthe partitions and mold surfaces, are readily turned in the mold andswept therefrom by the ejector mechanism. The electric heating elements11 are located-in holes in the bottom longitudinal edges of the mold-andthe thermostat 18 is located in an opening in the' upper right corner ofthe mold, as bestshown in Figs.` 2 and 5. During a freezing cycle thetemperature ofi the mold in the vicinity of the thermostat 18l remainsaround 32 F., but this temperature drops quickly when the freezing iscompleted. When the temperature of the thermostat falls to a desired lowits electric contacts close which in turn closes the circuit to themotor 16 and starts an ice ejectingcycle.

The ejector mechanism 13 includes a shaft 53 that is milledtlat on itsupper side throughout a portion of its length,as shown in Fig. 2. Theshaft 53is mounted for counterclockwise rotation in bearings in theinsulated mounting plates 40 at each end'of the-mold; A bladeSil-provided with a plurality of tabs orgng'ers 55', oneV for-'each icemold compartment, is welded1 or otherwise secured to the iiat portion ofthe shaft 53. In order that the ice may be turned out of the mold andcome to rest on top of the blade 54, the ejector shaft 53 is located offcenter relative to the longitudinal axis of the mold, and in order toprovide for the upwardly projecting tips B that form on the top centerportion of the ice pieces in freezing, the blade 54 is bent in themanner shown in Figs. 2 and 5. As an aid in removing the ice from themold and to provide only point and line contact between the ice and theejector, the tabs or iingers 5S are each provided with a pair of teeth56 (Figs. 5 and 6) at their outer edges. As stated above, the cam 46which operates the stop switch 17 and vane 44 is mounted on the frontend of the ejector shaft S3. The rear end of the ejector shaft 53 isconnected to the motor shaft 1S by the insulating coupling 14. As shownin Fig. 6, the coupling 14 is located in the rear wall 57 of therefrigerator in which the ice maker is located. The coupling 14 issurrounded by a wooden block S8 which acts as a guide and support andalso protects the insulator in the rear wall S7.

The ejector motor 16 and housing 2S which contains the mechanism foroperating the switches 19 and 29 are mounted in any suitable manner onthe rear wall 57 of the refrigerator. As shown in Fig. 6, the conduit22b which leads from the water valve 22 to the ice mold is provided withan extension 59 that passes through the rear wall 57 and discharges intoa trough 6i) which in turn discharges into the rear compartment of theice mold. So that water will not be trapped in the extension 59 andtrough 6i), and be frozen therein and block passage therethrough, eachof these elements slopes downward toward the ice mold and each isconstructed of plastic or other suitable heat insulating material. Also,the extension 59 is of much larger diameter than the water conduit 22b.

Due to the fact that some movement of the motor shaft 15 and connectedmechanism takes place after the ice mold is filled with water and justbefore a freezing cycle begins, as described hereinafter, this movementis used to operate, for example, a small, three-way valve 62 for closingthe water line 22b leading from the solenoid valve 22 and for opening atthe same time a drain 62b for this water line leading to the ice mold.As indicated by the arrow in Fig. l and as shown in Fig. 6, anadditional cam 63 is mounted on the motor shaft 15` in a manner tooperate a spring-pressed plunger 64 so as to place the three-way valve62 in position to open the water line 22b between the solenoid valve 22and the ice mold and to close the drain 62h during the filling of themold, and to close the line 22b and open the drain line 62h during thefreezing period. In this way, there is an electrical and a mechanicalvalve in series in the water line leading to the mold. Thus, any smallleakage past both the valves 22 and 62 during a freezing period willflow through the drain 62h for disposal in any suitable manner and willnot iiow through the inlet extension 59 to the mold, which would becomeplugged due to freezing of this water. It is not advisable to eliminatethe solenoid valve 22 and depend entirely on a motor operated valve 62,because only the former will close automatically in case of currentfailure during a filling period or whenever the current is shut olfmanually for some reason.

Fig. 3 of the drawing shows the ice maker located in a modern householdrefrigerator 70. The refrigerator includes a freezing compartment 71, anice making cornpartment 72, separated from the freezing compartment by apartition 73, and a food storage compartment 74. The freezing plate 48having the freezing coil 49 attached thereto, separates the compartments71 and 74 and supports the ice maker in the compartment 72. The icereceptacle 47, which should be kept at a temperature below freezing, issupported on a conventional refrigerator shelf 75 directly below thefreezing coil 49, and, if desired, this receptacle may be insulated fromthe air in the food storage compartment 74. Only so much of the icemaker as is necessary to show its location in the refrigerator isincluded in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In operation, during an ice freezing period all switch contacts remainin the full drawn positions shown in Fig. 1, provided the ice receptacle47 (Fig. 5) is not yet lled with ice so that the stop switch 17 isclosed. When the mold thermostat 18 then closes its contcats uponcompletion of the freezing, current can ow from L2 through switches 1Sand 17 and in parallel through the motor 16 and heaters 11 of the icemold 10 to L1. The motor 16 then starts turning so that a previous icebatch A, which has been held and dried on top of the ejector blade, isthrown off into the ice receptacle 47 while the heaters 11 start warmingup the ice mold. Soon after the start of the motor, the roller 34 onbellcrank 32 leaves the notch 36b and rides upon the circumference ofthe cam 36 (Fig. 4) kand the switch 19 snaps to the dotted position(Fig. l) to provide a bypass or holding circuit around the stop switch17 and thermostat 18 to maintain the circuit closed, even though bothswitches 17 and 18 may open. The ejector therefore continues turninguntil the fingers encounter the ice frozen in the mold whereupon theejector motor 16 is stalled. The motor 16 then remains stalled, thoughenergized, until the applied heat from the heating elements 11 hasloosened the ice in the mold so that the turning movement can beresumed. The high temperature switch 12 is a thermostatic device whichopens the heater circuit at about F., and opens only in the event thatthe mold heaters are energized too long due to something having gonewrong with the controls.

Shortly before the iinal position of the ejector shaft has beenattained, the roller 34 on bellcrank 32 passes into the notch 36a (Fig.4) on the cam 36 and the switch f- 19 snaps to the full-drawn positionwhich deenergizes the motor and the mold heaters so that the ejectorblade 55 comes to a temporarystop in the dotted position shown in Fig.2. The roller 35 on bellcrank 33 has passed into the notch 37a on cam 37and the switch 20 has snapped to its dotted position (Fig. l) somewhatearlier so that a circuit is completed from L2 through switches 19 and20 to the switch 2lb of the relay 21 and from there directly to theprimary 23a of the transformer and to L1. Another branch circuit isformed through the normally closed contacts of switch 2lb of the relayto the water valve 22 and to L1. The water valve consequently opens toladmit water to the ice mold. Simultaneous with the opening of the watervalve 22, the valve 62 is shifted so that now the conduit 22a is placedin open communication with the mold and the drain 62h is closed. Whenthe Water level in the mold reaches the electrode 26 (broken lineposition Fig. 2) on the ejector blade, the coil 21a of the relay becomesenergized so that the switch 2lb snaps over to the dotted position (Fig.l). This shuts off the water valve 22 and transfers the circuit to themotor 16. When the motor starts turning, the roller 34 on bellcrank 32(Fig. 4) leaves the notch 36a and rides upon the circumference of thecam 36 which causes the switch 19 to snap to its dotted position and theroller 35 on bellcrank 33 leaves the notch 37a on cam 37 and the switch20 snaps to its full line position. Also, the cam 63 operates theplunger 64 (Fig. 6) to shift the valve 62 back to its position wherebythe water line 22b is closed and the drain line 62b is open. The ejectormotor continues to run until the roller 34 again passes into the notch36h and the switch 19 snaps back to its full-drawn position, whereuponthe motor 16 is deenergized and the ejector comes to rest in its normalor freezing position with the ice batch resting thereon, as shown infull lines in Fig. 2. Both of the switches 19 and 20 are now in theirfull drawn positions (Fig. l), the compressor motor circuit is closedthrough wire L2, switch 19, switch 20, wire CL2, the compressor motorl(not shown) and wire L1, and another freezing period begins. Theelectrode 26 is then well above the water, as shown in full lines inFig. 2, which prevents it from being frozen into the ice. The twocircles drawn around Fig. 2 indicate more clearly the action of themotor operated switches 19 and 20 in relation to the position of theejector blade 54. The full drawn portions of the inner circle showduring which parts of a full turn of the motor that the switch 19 is inits dotted position, and the full drawn portion of the outer circleshows when the switch 20 is in the dotted position.

During an ice release operation, as the fingers 55 on the ejector bladepass through the mold compartments and sweep the ice therefrom, theteeth 56 on the outer corners of the fingers bite into the surface ofthe ice and bring the ice to rest in an upside-down position for dryingon top of the ejector, as shown in Fig. 2. The edge 52, along the upperright side of the mold, aids in this movement. It is to be noted thatthe surface of the ice that contacts the ejector blade is dry when theice is swept from the moldthis being the top surface during the thawingand therefore not wetted by the thawing-and the ice does not stick tothe ejector during the drying period of that batch of ice, which is thefreezing period of a subsequent batch. However, should there be someadhesion between the ice and the ejector, as by an accumulation of frostdue to prolonged standing, the bond between the ice and the ejector isreadily broken at the beginning of the next release cycle. That is,since the mold compartments are tapered from left to right, as

viewed in Figs. 2 and 5, the left bottom surface of the ice in theupside-down position is of greater extent than the spacing of thepartitions 50 and of the projections 50a on the left side of the mold.Therefore, at the beginning of a release cycle the left bottom surfaceof the ice particles, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5, will contact theprojections 50a which causes the ice to be stripped or peeled from theejector and be guided into the receptacle 47 located therebelow. Theprojections 50a may be omitted. In which case, the left bottom surfaceof the ice will contact the left upper portions of the partitions 5t?and be stripped from the ejector, as before.

ln the wiring diagram in Fig. 7 the same reference characters are usedto designate the same parts, and prime reference characters are used todesignate parts similar to those of Fig l. As in Fig. l, 10 representsthe ice mold with built-in heaters 11 and a high temperature limitswitch 12. 13 indicates the ejector mechanism, which is connected by theinsulating coupling M to the shaft 15 of the stall gear motor 16. A stopvane arrangement and low voltage stop switch is shown at 17. A moldthermostat 18 with ambient temperature compensation of the settingoperates a single pole, double throw switch, as indicated. The switches19 and 2G are operated by the motor shaft 15, as indicated by thearrows, and may be built into the motor 16. 21 is the sensitive relay,and 22 is the normally closed two-way solenoid water valve. The coil 21aof the relay 21 is connected, as shown, to the grounded secondary 23h ofthe small step-down transformer 23. As in Fig. l, this transformer 23 ofFig. 7 provides a reduced voltage for the coil circuit to satisfy coderequirements, and it also insulates this grounded circuit so that thepolarity of the supply wires L1. and L2 becomes immaterial. From thegrounded secondary of the transformer 23, the relay energizing circuitproceeds through the coil 21a of the relay to the common contact on themold thermostat 13'. If the thermostat contacts are in the dottedposition, the circuit is completed through the stop switch 17 to thegrounded stop vane; but if the contacts are in the full-drawn position,the circuit instead proceeds through the rotary contact 24 on the rearend of the motor shaft 15 and the insulated wire 25 from this contactthrough the hollow motor shaft 15 and coupling 14 to the ejector shaft53. On one of the ngers 55 of the ejector blade is an electrode surface26 which becomes ffl) grounded through the water when the ice mold isbeing filled as described in connection with Fig. l.

It will thus be seen that the sensitive relay 21 that is used in Fig. lnear the end of a release period in connection with the operation of thesolenoid valve 22 for filling the ice mold, is used also in Fig. 7 forstarting the ejector motor at the beginning of a release period. This isaccomplished by controlling the relay circuit by the mold thermostat andby a simple low-voltage contact operated by the stop vane 44. in thismanner, the need for a completely waterproof line voltage stop switch asused in Fig. l is eliminated.

As in Fig. 1, during an ice freezing period all switch contacts remainin the full-drawn position, as shown in Fig. 7, provided the icereceptacle 47 is not yet lled so that the stop switch 17 is closed. Whenthe mold therrn..tat .18 then snaps to the dotted position uponcompletion of the freezing, the relay coil 21a becomes energized and itsswitch 2lb moves to the dotted position. Current can now flow from L2through switches 19 and Bib and in parallel through the motor 16 and themold heaters 11 to L1. The motor then starts turning so that theprevious ice batch on top of the ejector blade is thrown off into theice receptacle while the heaters 11 start warming up the ice mold.Switch 19 now snaps to the dotted position and provides a by-pass orholding circuit around the relay contacts to maintain the motor andheater circuit closed even though the relay coil 21a may be deenergizedand snap the switch 2lb to its fulldrawn position due to the opening ofthe stop switch 17' and the warming up of the thermostat 1S'. rTheejector shaft 53, therefore, continues turning until the lingers on theejector blade encounter the ice frozen in the mold. The motor thenremains stalled, though energized, until the heat has loosened the iceso that the turning can be resumed. Shortly before the nal position ofthe ejector has been attained, the switch 19 snaps to the full-drawnposition, which deenergizcs the motor and the mold heaters so that theejector come to a stop. The switch 20 has moved to the dotted positionsomewhat earlier so that a circuit is completed from L2 through switch19, relay 21 and switch 2d to the water valve 22 and L1. rl`he valveconsequently opens to admit water to the ice mold. When the water levelin the mold reaches the electrode 26 on the ejector finger, the relaycoil 21a becomes energized because the contacts of the thermostat 18 arenow in the full-drawn position due to the higher temperature of themold. When the relay switch 2lb therefore snaps to the dotted position.this shuts off the water valve 22 and transfers the circuit to the motori6. When the motor start turning, switch 19 snaps to its dotted positionand switch 2G snaps to its full position simultaneously or shortlythereafter. The motor keeps running and the mold heaters are on untilthe switch 19 moves back to its full-drawn position when the ejector hasattained its normal position. The electrodes 26 are then well above thewater, and another freezing period begins. As in Fig. l, the compressormotor circuit is closed when both of the switches 19 and 26 are in theirfull-drawn positions, and this occurs only when the circuit to the moldheating elements 11 is opened.

An alternate circuit is shown in Fig. 8 wherein the switch 19 isprovided with an additional contact and with a separate wire leadingtherefrom to the heating elements l1 of the ice mold 10. When thisconnection is used the contact of the switch 2lb of relay 21 need carryonly the motor current, and the mold heaters 11 are not energized untilthe switch 19' snaps to its dotted position, which happens soon afterthe motor has started a release cycle. n either case the switch 19 or 19when in dotted position provides a by-pass or holding circuit around therelay contacts to maintain the motor and heater circuits closed eventhough the relay 21 may be deenergized due to the opening of the stopswitch 17 and to the warming up of the thermostat 18.

The construction and operation of ice mold, the ejector 9 mechanism, theswitch operating mechanism and the stop switch, shown in detail in Figs.2 to 6, inclusive, except as pointed out above, are the same when usedwith the controls of Figs. 7 and 8 as with Fig, 1. Therefore, furtherdescription of these elements is deemed unnecessary.

With further description it is thought that the features and advantagesof the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art towhich this invention appertains, and it will, of course, be understoodthat changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention andscope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An ice maker comprising an ice mold having a generally arcuatecontour, a freezer for congealing water in the mold, means for looseningan ice piece formed in the mold, power mechanism including an electricmotor operative when energized to cause relative turning movementbetween the mold and the ice piece formed therein to remove the icepiece from the mold, said electric motor being so constructed andarranged as to stall while energized pending the loosening of the ice inthe meid and to cause the relative turning movement immediately the iceis loosened, and a control device operative responsive to the formationof the ice piece to instigate operation of the power mechanism.

2. An ice maker comprising a mold having a generally arcuate contour, afreezer for congealing water in the mold, means for loosening an icepiece formed in the mold, a conveyor having a rotatable member forengaging and removing the ice piece from the moid, an electric motor foroperating the conveyor, means operative responsive to the formation ofthe ice piece to instigate operation of the loosening means and motor,and said electric motor being so constructed and arranged as to stallwhile energized upon initial engagement of the conveyor with the icepiece to temporarily discontinue operation of the conveyor pending theloosening of the ice piece in the mold and to move the ice piece fromthe mold immediately the ice is loosened therein.

3. In an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, means for filling the moldwith water to be frozen, means for freezing the water into ice in themold, and means for removing the ice from the mold, said last-namedmeans including an ejector mechanism movable into and out of the mold,an electric motor for operating said ejector mechanism, and controlmeans for energizing and deenergizing said motor, said control meansincluding means operative responsive to the formation of ice in saidmold for energizing said motor, means operative responsive to rotationof said motor for operating a second energizing means for said motor,means for loosening the ice in the mold, said electric motor being soconstructed and connected to the ejector mechanism as to stall whileenergized upon contact of the ejector mechanism with ice frozen to themold and to move the ice from the mold immediately the ice is loosenedtherein, and means operative responsive to a predetermined movement ofthe ejector mechanism for stopping the motor.

4. In an automomatic ice maker, an ice mold, means for filling the moldwith water to be frozen, means for freezing the Water into ice, andmeans for removing the ice from the mold, said filling means including amember so positioned relative to the mold as to be contacted by waterupon filling the mold, and said member being operable responsive to thefilling of the mold for discontinuing the filling and for removing saidmember from contact with the Water in the mold.

5. In an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, means for filling the moldwith water, means for freezing the water into ice, and an ejector forremoving the ice from the mold, said filling means including a member sopositioned relative to the mold as to be contacted by water upon fillingthe mold, and means operable after the mold ll O is filled for changingthe position of said member relative to a surface level of water in themold.

6. An automatic ice maker as set forth in claim 5 wherein said member ismoved from contact with the water in the mold responsive to the fillingof the mold.

7. An automatic ice maker as set forth in claim 5 wherein said memberincludes an electrode mounted on the ejector for movement into and outof the mold, and wherein said electrode is stopped within the moldduring the filling thereof and is moved above the water level in themold responsive to the filling of the mold.

8. ln an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, means including a conduithaving a first valve therein for filling the mold with water, means forfreezing the water in the mold and an ejector for removing the ice fromthe mold, said ejector having means thereon for opening said valve forflow of water to the mold, a member so positioned relative to the moldas to be contacted by water in the mold to close said valve, and meansfor moving said member from Contact with the water in the mold.

9. An automatic ice maker as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conduitincludes a drain and means operable responsive to movement of theejector for opening the drain after the mold has been filled.

l0. An automatic ice maker as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conduitincludes a second valve and a drain connected thereto, and meansoperable responsive to movement of said ejector for opening said firstvalve and closing said second valve for flow of water to the mold andfor closing the first valve and opening the second valve for fiow ofwater to the drain.

1l. In an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, a water conduit having meanstherein for filling the mold, refrigerating means for forming ice in themold, heating means for thawing the ice free of the mold, ejecting meansfor removing the ice from the mold, and control means for operating saidfilling, refrigerating, heating and ejecting means in sequence, saidcontrol means including a first electric switch operable responsive tothe formation of ice in the mold for starting the ejector and heatingmeans, a second electric switch movable to one position by the ejectormechanism for continuing operation of the ejector and heating means andfor discontinuing operation of the refrigerating means regardless of theposition of the first switch, means operable responsive to movement ofthe ejector after removing ice from the mold for opening said fillingmeans, and said second electric switch being movable to a secondposition by the ejector mechanism for discontinuing the operation of theejector and for resuming operation of the refrigerating means.

12. In an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, a water conduit having avalve therein for filling the mold, refrigerating means for freezing thewater in the mold, heating means for thawing the ice free of the mold,ejecting means including an electric motor for removing the ice from themold, and control means for operating said filling, heating and ejectingmeans in sequence, said control means including a first electric switchoperable responsive to the freezing of ice in the mold for starting theejecting and heating means, a second electric switch movable to oneposition by the ejector for continuing operation of the ejector andheating means regardless of the position of the first switch, a thirdelectric switch operable responsive to movement of the ejector afterremoving ice from the mold for opening said water valve, and a fourthelectric switch operable responsive to the filling of the mold forclosing the water valve and for resuming operation of said ejector.

i3. in an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, means for filling the moldwith water, refrigerating means for freezing the water into ice in themold, means for loosening the ice in the mold, means for conveying theice from the mold, and control means for operating said filling,loosening and conveying means in sequence, said control means includinga first electric switch operable responsive to the formation of ice inthe mold for starting said conveying and loosening means, a secondelectric switch operable responsive to movement of said conveyor forcontinuing the operation of the conveying and loosening means eventhough the first switch be open, a third electric switch operable bymovement of said conveyor for operating the mold filling means uponremoval of ice from the mold, a low voltage circuit, and means operableresponsive to the filling of the ice mold for closing said low voltagecircuit to thereby discontinue the operation of said filling means andresume the operation of the said conveying means, and means for stoppingsaid conveyor in a predetermined position with the ice resting thereon.

14. ln an automatic ice maker, a cooling element, an ice mold mounted onsaid cooling element, means for filling said mold with water to befrozen, an c icctor mechanism for conveying the frozen contents from themoid, said ejector mechanism including a rotatable shaft mounted abovesaid mold and having members thereon movable into and out of the mold inone direction of movement, a motor for rotating said shaft, and controlmeans for energizing said motor, said control means including a firstelectric circuit having a first electric switch operable responsive tothe temperature of said mold for closing said first circuit, a secondelectric circuit for said motor, a second switch in said second circuitoperable by said motor for holding said second circuit closed eventhough the first circuit be open, a third electric circuit, a thirdelectric switch in said third circuit operable by said motor, anelectrically operated water valve in said third circuit for controllingthe flow of water to the ice mold, a low voltage circuit for openingsaid third electric circuit and thereby close said water valve, andmeans operable responsive to the flow of water to the ice mold forenergizing said low voltage circuit.

15. in an automatic ice maker, an ice mold, means including a conduithaving a valve therein for filling the mold, means for freezing thewater in the mold, means for thawing the ice free of the mold, means forremoving the ice from the mold, means for storing the ice removed fromthe mold, and control means for operating the filling, freezing,thawing, removing and storing means, said control means including afirst electric circuit closed by the formation of ice in the mold forenergizing the thawing and the removing means, a second electric circuitclosed by movement of the removing means for continuing the thawing andremoving means energized even though the first circuit be open, a thirdelectric circuit closed by movement of the removing means for openingthe water valve for flow of water to the mold, a fourth electric circuitclosed by the filling of the mold for closing the water valve and forresuming operation of the removing means, and a fifth electric circuitclosed by movement of the removing means for energizing the freezingmeans and for deenergizing the thawing and the removing means.

16. An ice maker as set forth in claim wherein the removing means isoperated by an electric motor which tops turning while energized uponcontact of the removing means with the ice frozen in the mold and whichresumes turning responsive to the thawing of the ice free of the mold.

17. An ice maker as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first electriccircuit is opened and closed responsive to the amount of ice in storagein the storage means.

18. An ice maker as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first circuitincludes a switch operated by a sensitive relay in a low voltage circuitand wherein the low voltage circuit is closed responsive to theformation of ice in the mold.

19. An ice maker as set forth in claim l5 wherein said second circuitincludes a parallel circuit for energizing the thawing means and whereinsaid parallel circuit is opened responsive to the operation of thethawing means.

20. An ice maker as set forth in claim 15 wherein said second circuitincludes a switch movable to a first position for closing said secondcircuit and movable to a second position for opening said second circuitand for closing the third circuit.

2l. An ice maker as set forth in claim 20 wherein the second circuitincludes a second switch operated by a sensitive relay in a low voltagecircuit and wherein the low voltage circuit is closed by the formationof ice in the mold.

22. An ice maker as set forth in claim 21 wherein the low voltagecircuit is opened by the accumulation of a given amount of ice in thestorage means.

Z13. An ice i .alter as set forth in claim 15 wherein said third circuitincludes a switch movable to a first position or closing said thirdcircuit and movable to a second osition for opening said third circuitand for closing the ifth circuit.

24. An ice maker as set Vforth in claim 15 wherein the fourth circuitincludes a switch movable to a first position for opening the watervalve and movable into a second position for closing the water valve andfor energizing the removing means.

25. An ice maker as set forth in claim 24 wherein the conduit of themold filling means includes a drain operable when the valve is closed toconvey any leakage past the valve to a place of disposal other than theice mold,

26. An ice maker as set forth in claim 24 wherein the switch in thefourth circuit is operated by a sensitive relay in a low voltage circuitand wherein the low voltage circuit is closed by the filling of the icemold.

27. An ice maker comprising a mold, means for cooling the mold to freezeliquid therein, ice harvesting mechanisrn having a member' movable intoengagement with the ice for applying an ejecting force thereon to removeit from the mold, an electric motor connected to operate the harvestingmechanism, means for releasing the bond between the ice and mold, acontrol responsive to the forming of ice in the mold for simultaneouslyoperating the ice releasing means and ice harvesting means, and saidmotor being so constructed and arranged as to stall while energized uponengagement of the member with the ice while producing an ejecting forcethereon and to move the ice from the mold immediately it is freed by thereleasing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,077,662 Yates Nov. 4, 1913 1,346,898 Kingsbury July 20, 1920 1,820,981Le Fever Sept. 11, 1931 1,945,496 Sloan lan. 30, 1934 2,161,221 SmithJune 6, 1939 2,259,066 Gaston Oct. 14, 1941 2,279,214 Jeinott Apr. 7,1942 2,364,559 Storer Dec. 5, 1944 2,463,899 Nicholas Mar. 8, 19492,463,935 Fish Mar. 8, 1949 2,493,900 Schaberg Jan. 10, 1950 2,522,651Van Vleck Sept. 19, 1950 2,526,373 Le Clair Oct. 17, 1950 2,545,558Russell Mar. 20, 1951 2,559,414 Erickson July 3, 1951 2,583,294 EricksonIan. 22, 1952 2,595,588 Lee May 6, 1952 2,682,155 Ayres lune 29, 1954

